MAX Studios

Abi was merely going through the motions. Reluctant to step into that space, little did she know her life would be changed forever.

This is Abi Bielstein. She works in Campus Ministry at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. Prepare to hear her powerful story of navigating tragedy and profound transformation through the power of the Eucharist.

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Taylor Tripodi talks about her musical journey as well as what inspired her to write “This is Redemption” and “Take Care of Everything."

MAX Music features musicians sharing their spiritual journey through song and conversation. Artists share acoustic, stripped-down versions of songs and then talk about why music matters to them.

Includes live performances of "Take Care of Everything" and "This is Redemption"

Produced by MAX Studios, University of St. Thomas-Houston

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Follow Taylor Tripodi:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylor_tripodi

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taylortripodimusic

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorTripodi

-Website: https://www.taylortripodi.com/

This is an episode about Saints. Men and Women who lived ordinary and extraordinary lives filled with heroic virtue.

First we hear from Darnell, who tells the story of an altogether uneventful car accident and the one moment that he can't seem to shake.

Then we talk to Meg Hunter-Kilmer, an itinerant missionary who travels the world, living out of her car, talking about her love for Christ. She has also written the book on saints, two of them actually, and loves to connect people to those in heaven who are already praying for them.

She tells us about her life as a missionary and how she came to know and love the saints she does.

Then in Who’s That Saint, we are doing something a bit different, we let Meg tell the story of a saint whose story has been pulling on her heart, Venerable Alfonse Gallegos.

Links:

MAX Studios Website

https://ustmaxstudios.com/

MAX Studios Instagram

@maxstudiosust

https://www.instagram.com/maxstudiosust/

Meg Hunter Kilmer Website

https://www.piercedhands.com/

Meg Hunter Kilmer Instagram

@mhunterkilmer

https://www.instagram.com/mhunterkilmer/

Today's stories are about coming of age, that wonderful and awkward time in life when you think you know everything but you really know nothing. 

Darnell opens up with a story about manhood, or rather, the transition into manhood, and all the insecurity that comes with it until one is rooted in their faith.

Then we hear from Alejandra Herrera, the founder and director of Bendecida XV, an apostolate that walks with young Latinas as they prepare for their Quinceneras, shares the beauty of the Catholic faith and liturgy, the richness of Latino culture and tradition, and uncovers the symbolic meaning of the Quincenera celebration. She shares the story of her 15th birthday and how she came to recognize her call to service and ministry.

Then in Who's That Saint, we look in to the life of Santa Maria de Jesus Sacramentado, a woman who lived a life of service to the poor and sick, who also happens to be Mexico's first canonized female Saint!

Links:

MAX Studios Website

https://ustmaxstudios.com/

MAX Studios Instagram @maxstudiosust

https://www.instagram.com/maxstudiosust/

Bendecida XV Website

https://bendecidaxv.com/

Today we’re talking about trust - trusting your gut, trusting your call, and most importantly trusting in Christ.

Darnell begins with a story of frustration and resentment that is slowly transforming into a greater trust of God's will.

Then, we hear from Fr. Dat Hoang, a Vietnamese immigrant, priest of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and founding administrator of St. Faustina Catholic Church in Fulshear, TX. He shares the story of his lifelong desire to become a priest, his journey from Vietnam to the United States and the time he almost decided to leave  his dream of being a priest.

Then in Who's that Saint, we explore the life of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, a nun and mystic whose visions of Christ, and journaling habit, has brought forward a powerful devotion in the divine mercy.

Links:

MAX Studios Website

https://ustmaxstudios.com/

MAX Studios Instagram @maxstudiosust

https://www.instagram.com/maxstudiosust/

St. Faustina Catholic Church

https://saintfaustinachurch.org/

Fr. Dat Hoang

https://saintfaustinachurch.org/people/father-dat-hoang

Learn More about St. Faustina Kowalska

https://saintfaustinachurch.org/st-faustina

This is an episode about internal dialogue, limiting beliefs and how Christ's love can set us free!

In our opening, Darnell Miller tells a story about juggling that isn't really a story about "juggling."

Then we sit down with Leah Darrow, a mother, speaker, author, coach and entrepreneur whose reversion to the Catholic faith has afforded her the opportunity to share Christ's love and mercy with others. This is not a story of her reversion though, this is a story about the internal work, the human development that she needed to challenge the limiting beliefs she held about herself. She also shares how doing the internal work led to her human development course, Power Made Perfect.

Finally, in Who's that Saint, we explore the life of Blessed Solanus Casey, a Capuchin priest who lived a life of heroic virtue serving the poor and the sick, and whose legacy still touches lives in Detroit today.

Links:

MAX Studios Website

https://ustmaxstudios.com

MAX Studios Instagram @maxstudiosust

https://www.instagram.com/maxstudiosust

Leah Darrow Website

https://www.leahdarrow.com

Leah Darrow Instagram @leah.darrow

https://www.instagram.com/leah.darrow

Power Made Perfect

https://www.leahdarrow.com/powermadeperfect

Learn More about Blessed Solanus Casey

https://solanuscasey.org

Today we are talking about the religious, brothers and sisters who have devoted their life to the service of God, and how our relationships with them - understanding their unique, intimate relationship with Christ - can help us lay people better invite Christ into our own lives.

First, Darnell shares a story about Sr. Maura, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist, who's super power lies in a wink. He tells us how she fundamentally changed his relationship with God.

Then August Turak, author of "Business Secrets of the Trappists Monks," tells us about his own experience as a frequent monastic guest at Mepkin Abbey. He explains how the lessons he learned through their simple lifestyle have helped him become a successful entrepreneur and leader.

Learn more about August Turak: https://augustturak.com

Learn more about Mepkin Abbey: https://mepkinabbey.org

For more great storytelling and videos about living our faith authentically in the world follow MAX Studios:

Website: https://ustmaxstudios.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxstudiosust

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtvFfPjMVugxN0ZHSpjrJWw

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxstudiosust

Mercy! What is there to say about mercy? We all need it! And God gives it in abundance! We just need to accept it! In this episode of Protagonists of Change, we talk about mercy in our lives.

First, Darnell shares a story from college where, despite being the cause of his own problems, he is shown radical mercy and forgiveness.

Then Nicole Labadie, Director of Campus Ministry at UST Houston, speaks to an actual Pope Francis appointed Missionary of Mercy, Fr. Jim Sichko, author of “60 Minutes for Jesus.” They talk about his work as a Missionary of Mercy, travel, ministry, grace and what it means to offer mercy.

Finally, in “Who’s That Saint?” Fr. Jim does something a little different. You know at the end of the Litany of Saints in Mass when the priest says “All you holy men and women of God”? Yeah that’s who he is talking about!

Learn more about Fr. Jim Sichko - https://www.frjims.com

For more great storytelling and videos about living our faith authentically in the world follow MAX studios:

Website: https://ustmaxstudios.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxstudiosust

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtvFfPjMVugxN0ZHSpjrJWw

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxstudiosust

Learn More about St. Luke Productions: https://www.stlukeproductions.com

A momma's prayer is powerful! In this episode of Protagonists of Change, we explore the prayer of mothers, see the fruit that comes from those prayers and learn from their example.

First Darnell shares why his mother's bad storytelling might be a strength in her prayer life.

Then we speak to Jim Coleman, an actor and lead of St. Luke Productions show "Tolton: From Slave to Priest" to learn about his background as an actor and the life of Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first African-American ordained to the priesthood. We learn about the fruits of Fr. Tolton's life and his legacy in the church today. And guess what, both Jim and Fr. Tolton have strong praying mommas!

Finally we learn about the life of St. Monica, a momma who prayed so hard it led to the conversion of one of the most important Catholic Theologians in the Church, St. Augustine of Hippo! 

For more great storytelling and videos about living our faith authentically in the world follow MAX studios:

Website: https://ustmaxstudios.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxstudiosust

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtvFfPjMVugxN0ZHSpjrJWw

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxstudiosust

Learn More about St. Luke Productions: https://www.stlukeproductions.com

Today we are talking about self awareness and how that is the first step in our growth, in life and in faith. 

In part 1, Darnell shares how his wife helps him to live out Proverbs 27, you know the verse, as iron sharpens iron. 

In part 2, we have a special interview: Bridget Richardson, a producer at MAX Studios has a follow up conversation with Leah Darrow, former supermodel turned catholic speaker, who was a guest on another of our podcasts, Agape and Eros, if you haven’t heard it check it out. They dive in deep and discuss the importance of self awareness in dating, life and faith.

Check out the episode of Agape and Eros featuring Leah Darrow here.